The Sri Lankan Tamils issue intensified on Friday forcing the State government to close down colleges indefinitely from Monday.

As support for Eelam Tamils gathered pace, officials of the College Education Department here issued oral instructions to suspend classes until further notice. College authorities have been asked to ensure that student hostels were vacated by 9 p.m. on Friday.

While Saturday and Sunday are holidays for students, the colleges will continue to be closed as a precautionary measure until further instructions from the government. As per the latest decision, the Government Law College will also close.

“We have received only a phone call from the office of the Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education here at 3 p.m., asking us to suspend classes. The order was followed and students were informed,” a college Principal said.

By evening, students of various arts and science colleges started vacating the hostels and leaving for their homes.

Meanwhile, students of Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College at Pasumalai staged a demonstration in the college auditorium, condemning the Sri Lankan government’s “inhumane handling of innocent Tamils.”

“Our students spoke vociferously against Sri Lanka but they maintained calm on the campus. As per the government order, we have suspended classes,” a senior college official said.

However, there is no clarity on whether the staff should turn up for duty on Monday. Faculty members are waiting for further information from the Department of Collegiate Education.

Law student admitted to hospital

Students of Government Law College continued to observe their hunger strike for the third consecutive day in protest against the Sri Lankan government and alleged war crimes against the Sri Lankan Tamil people. V. Malaichamy, one of the protestors, was admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) on Thursday night after his condition deteriorated, officials said.

Malaichamy, a physically challenged student of III year, became unconscious at around 9.30 p.m.

The other students — M. Ashok Kumar, M. Arif Rahman, S. Israd and R. Ganesh Prabhu — are on hunger strike. On Friday, members of Forward Bloc met the students and extended support for their cause.